MBB St. Francis

Azusa, CA- The Men's Highlanders Basketball team fell to #15 NAIA Div. 2 ranked St. Francis Cougars last night, 82-61. The Cougars played tough inside to quickly overcome the emotionally exhausted Highlanders.

The Highlander's tried to bounce back after at close loss to #3 Azusa Pacific a couple of nights earlier taking the lead early with some solid ball movement and great shot selection. The Highlanders battled tough however starter Martin Axnick (Jr. Rahden, Germany) came out of the game after four minutes of play rolling his ankle and would not return. The Cougars shot the ball extremely well finishing the game shooting over 50% from the field. The Cougars took a 9 point lead going into the half.

The Highlanders fell into a shooting slump in the second half shooting 30% from 9-30 shots taken from the field. The Cougars continued to hit shots in the paint extending their lead well into the low twenties.

The Highlanders placed three players in double digit's; Luke Mortenson (Sr. Greenville, NY) scored a team high 17 points, 7 rebounds, shooting 6-12 from the field and 3-4 behind the arch. Tyler Mutton (So. Brockport, NY) followed through for 13 points and grabbing 4 rebounds off 5-9 shooting from the field. Inside for the Highlanders Allen Goodman (Sr. Citra, FL) went 4-6 from the field and 3-4 from the free throw line for 12 points.

The Highlanders overall record moves to 4-5 for the season. The Highlanders are back in action again on January 3rd at NCAA Div. 3 SUNY-Fredonia, tip-off at 7:30 pm.

Houghton College has deep and solid roots in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, where our teams use their commitment to excellence, both on the field-of-play and in the classroom, as a platform for their strong and unique emphasis on Sports Ministry. Their goal is to make a difference for the Kingdom on campus, in Allegany County, in the Northeast and around the world. Houghton is one of only 13 institutions who have been hand-selected by the NAIA to serve as "Champions of Character" Program Centers, opening the door for Houghton to be a leader, both in the Northeast and nationally, in character education. Through hands-on, innovative community outreach initiatives, Houghton coaches and student-athletes are working together to change the culture of sport and to change our culture through sport.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- December 30, 2006 CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- December 30, 2006
CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648